Parents

Is There Any Relief From Morning Sickness?

At 9 weeks pregnant, I’m puking every morning and sometimes at night. Is there any end to the nausea and vomiting?- Vicki

Unfortunately, nausea and vomiting are very common during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester. And despite its name, morning sickness isn't always restricted to the morning — some women feel sick to their stomachs morning, noon, and/or night.

If the nausea and vomiting are mild, there's usually no cause for concern. And fortunately, morning sickness usually goes away by the second trimester.

In the meantime, these things may help keep your stomach in check:

Steer clear of certain odors that may trigger your nausea.

Keep crackers or dry toast by your bed to nibble on before getting up.

Eat frequent small meals to keep your stomach from becoming empty.

Drink frequent small amounts of fluids throughout the day so you don't become dehydrated.

Avoid eating foods that are fatty, greasy, spicy, or acidic if you find that they bother you.

Eat whatever foods you can tolerate while your stomach's upset. When you feel better later, concentrate on making your meals more well-rounded.

If your prenatal vitamin seems to worsen your nausea, take it with food instead of on an empty stomach. Or try taking it right before bed. If this does not help, talk to your health care provider about the possibility of switching to a different vitamin.

Studies are being done on various complementary and alternative therapies for morning sickness, such as acupressure with wristbands and treatment with ginger or a vitamin B6 supplement. Speak with your doctor to see what therapies are right for you.

Talk to your doctor if your nausea or vomiting is severe, or if you're losing weight from vomiting. If the need arises, your doctor can prescribe medication or even decide to treat you with intravenous (IV) fluids.